Ortlieb Messenger Bag vs. Mammut Aenergy 12
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Ortlieb Messenger Bag
| Capacity | 39 L |
| Weight | 1.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×39×15 cm |
| Airline fit | 59% |
| Price | $140 |
Feature by feature
| Ortlieb Messenger Bag | Feature | Mammut Aenergy 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 2 | Opening | 1 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | N |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | N |
| Material | |
| PD620, PS620C | 100% Polyamide |
Key differences between the Ortlieb Messenger Bag and Mammut Aenergy 12
- Opening: Rolltop on the Ortlieb Messenger Bag; Clamshell on the Mammut Aenergy 12.
- Water resistant: Yes on the Ortlieb Messenger Bag; No on the Mammut Aenergy 12.
Both have: backpack straps, hip belt, sternum strap.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 111 accept both. 0 accept only the Ortlieb Messenger Bag, and 68 accept only the Mammut Aenergy 12.
Only the Mammut Aenergy 12 fits
Aerolineas Argentinas, Air Asia, Air France, Air India, Air Macau, Air Mauritius, Air Niugini, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, American Eagle, Avianca , Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Biman Bangladesh, Boliviana de Aviacion, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cayman Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, CommutAir, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, easyJet, Emirates Airlines, EVA Air, flybe, Garuda Indonesia, Great Lakes Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Indigo, InselAir, Jet Airways, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Kenya Airways, KLM, Kulula, LATAM , Liat Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Pakistan International, Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Republic Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Scoot, Sky Airlines, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, SriLankan Airlines, Tiger Airways, Trans States, United Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia, WestJet.
Ortlieb Messenger Bag vs. Mammut Aenergy 12: which should you pack?
The Ortlieb Messenger Bag carries 27L more than the Mammut Aenergy 12 (39L vs. 12L), while the Mammut Aenergy 12 is the lighter pack at 0.3kg (vs. 1.3kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Mammut Aenergy 12 fits 95% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Ortlieb Messenger Bag; if you want to travel lighter, the Mammut Aenergy 12 is the better call.